COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health System

DATE:

March 4, 2011

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 29, 2011

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Jean S. Fraser, Chief, Health System
Susan Ehrlich, MD, MPP, Chief Executive Officer
San Mateo Medical Center

SUBJECT:

Position Changes at San Mateo Medical Center

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt an Ordinance amending the Master Salary Ordinance to add and delete positions in the San Mateo Medical Center division of the Health System.

BACKGROUND:

There are approximately 584 adults on the waiting list to establish care at the South San Francisco Clinic. An acceptable patient panel for a full-time provider is considered 1000 patients. There are not enough available physician positions to transfer to the South San Francisco Clinic to provide additional coverage and it is necessary to add another physician position.

A Community Worker position in clinics operations is no longer necessary and is recommended for deletion.

DISCUSSION:

Below is a summary of the requested salary ordinance change needed to implement the personnel changes at San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC).

Action:

Add:

1 position of F122S Staff Physician

Delete

1 position of G112S Community Worker

Adding an additional physician position will allow reduction in the waiting list of new patients waiting to establish care, which is a requirement of Health Care Reform. The position will be added as a part-time position.

This action represents a monthly salary and benefits cost of $14,000. The total number of authorized positions is unchanged.

The Salary Ordinance amendment has been reviewed and approved by the County Counsel.

Approval of this Amendment contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 Outcome of a Healthy Community by providing residents with access to quality healthcare and seamless services. It is anticipated that the addition of a Staff Physician to the South San Francisco Clinic will allow SMMC to improve patients' access to care by reducing the wait time for the next available appointment to less than 30 days.

Performance Measures:

Measure

FY 2009-10
Actual

FY 2010-11
Projected

Number of Patient Visits

3148

4830

Number of Unique Patients Served

1300

1500

FISCAL IMPACT:

This action represents an estimated monthly increase in salary and benefits cost of $14,000. The increased cost and accompanying revenue will be included in the SMMC FY 2011-12 Recommended Budget.

Expenses at SMMC are covered by fees for services or third-party payors, whenever possible. Expenses for services provided to the medically indigent or to those covered by programs that do not meet the full costs of care are covered by the County’s General Fund contribution to SMMC.